Shock as Bloody Sunday Inquiry delayed again (Ireland)

Shaun Woodward, the Northern Ireland Secretary, was said to be “profoundly shocked” last night after the findings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry were delayed until March.

The probe into the deaths of 13 Catholic civil rights protesters in Londonderry in 1972 was due to report this autumn after 11 years, and the latest hold-up is set to add another £1 million to the £188 million price-tag.

An exasperated Mr Woodward was said to be planning to pass on his strong displeasure to Lord Saville of Newdigate, chairman of the inquiry.

He had written to the Government in July promising that his findings would be delivered in the autumn and “before Christmas” at the latest.